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Nigeria’s Barau Elected 1st Deputy Speaker Of ECOWAS Parliament

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Nigeria’s Barau Elected 1st Deputy Speaker Of ECOWAS Parliament

By: Michael Mike

Deputy President Of the Nigerian Senate, Jibrin Barau has been elected 1st Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS Parliament) during the inauguration of the 6th Legislature of the regional bloc.

The 6th Legislature was inaugurated by the Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who is also the Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the regional body in accordance with the Supplementary Act on the Enhancement of Powers of the regional legislature in a ceremony which was held in Abuja on Thursday.

The substantive Speaker of the regional legislature was unable to be elected following the inability of Togo, which the position was zoned, to produce the Speaker due to the political situation in the country.

Barau was nominated by Nigerian member of Parliament, Awaji- Inombek Dagomie Abiante, in a session presided by Liberia’s Edwin Snowe as interim Speaker. His nomination was seconded by another Nigerian member of Parliament, Senator Ireti Kingibe and he was voted unopposed.

The office of the Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament is usually reserved for Nigeria anytime the country is not presiding as Speaker of the Parliament.

Also elected as Second Deputy Speaker was Adjaratou Traore Coulibally from Cote d’Ivoire, who polled 54 votes to beat Cecile Ahoumnon from Benin, who got no single vote.

The position of the Third Deputy Speaker was won by Alexander Kwamena Afenyo- Markin from Ghana in a unanimous vote.

The Fourth Deputy Speaker position was won by Billay Tunkara from The Gambia with 47 votes beating Orlando Pereira Dias from Cabo Verde who got 7 votes.

Outgoing Speaker of the Parliament, Sidie Mohammed Tunis, thanked the regional body for the opportunity given him to serve for four years even as he reaffirmed his commitment to the regional body.

Tunis was appointed ceremonial speaker, following the gap that exists because Togo, the country to which the Speakership was zoned, as the country was not able to produce the Speaker due to some prevailing political situation.

Tunis however announced his intention to travel to Togo to see how best to get a Speaker, saying “I will proceed to Togo to have a conversion with the authorities there with a view to encouraging them to have their delegation inaugurated as soon as possible so that we can have a Speaker to run this institution. It is very, very important. There are so many things to do in the sub-region, and the ECOWAS Parliament has a very big role to play in the sub-region but they will not be able to do so without the Speaker.”

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar in his address, noted that in the face of the various challenges confronting the region, including peace, stability, security, as well as the unity of the region, the role of the Parliament is more important than ever.

The Minister, who is also the chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, commended the outgoing 5th Legislature, especially its Speaker Mohamed Tunis, for their invaluable contributions to the ECOWAS Parliament and the Organization as a whole.

Tuggar said “it is, therefore, imperative that the Parliament continues to work in synergy with the ECOWAS Commission and other Institutions that serve as the executive and judicial arms of our governments”.

Nigeria’s Barau Elected 1st Deputy Speaker Of ECOWAS Parliament

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Troops recover rustled livestock after terrorist sighting in katsina

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Troops recover rustled livestock after terrorist sighting in katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of 17 Brigade have recovered rustled livestock during a response operation to a reported terrorist movement in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 11:30 a.m. on March 30, when troops deployed at Combat Team 1 Danali acted on intelligence indicating the movement of suspected terrorists towards Amawa Forest.

According to the sources, the troops arrived the area but found that the suspects had fled into nearby bushes with a large number of rustled livestock.

The combined troops reportedly pursued the attackers for about three kilometres along their escape route but lost contact due to difficult terrain.

The sources added that the troops later withdrew and intensified domination of the main routes with fighting patrols aimed at restoring confidence among commuters in the area.

They said efforts were ongoing to track the fleeing suspects and recover the remaining livestock.

Troops recover rustled livestock after terrorist sighting in katsina

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Human Rights Group SOJA Calls for Accountability After Lawyer Dies in Abuja Hotel Elevator

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Human Rights Group SOJA Calls for Accountability After Lawyer Dies in Abuja Hotel Elevator

By: Michael Mike

Speak Out for Justice Advocacy Ltd/Gte (SOJA) has condemned the tragic death of Barrister Abdulsalami Ginsau, who reportedly suffocated after being trapped in an elevator at a hotel in Abuja on March 31, 2026. The advocacy group is calling for urgent investigations, stronger safety regulations, and accountability for any negligence that may have contributed to the incident.

In a statement released on Friday, SOJA described the death as preventable and raised serious concerns about building safety standards, emergency response systems, and regulatory compliance in Nigeria’s hospitality and construction sectors. The organization said the incident highlights systemic gaps that put lives at risk.

“Elevators are not luxuries—they are life-dependent systems,” SOJA said. “Any failure in their design, maintenance, or emergency protocols can have fatal consequences. No individual should lose their life in such a preventable and distressing manner.”

The group cited both domestic and international legal frameworks protecting the right to life, including Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. SOJA stressed that the Nigerian government has a duty to prevent third-party negligence and to enforce safety standards that safeguard citizens.

SOJA outlined several recommendations, including conducting a thorough, independent investigation into the circumstances of Ginsau’s death, identifying any negligence or regulatory breaches, and holding all responsible parties accountable. The organization also called for the development and enforcement of national regulations on elevator safety, mandatory inspection and certification programs, installation of functional emergency systems in elevators, and criminalization of gross negligence in life-dependent infrastructure.

Hameed Ajibola Jimoh, Executive Director of SOJA, emphasized that the incident should serve as a wake-up call for systemic reform. “A society that fails to safeguard basic infrastructure places every citizen at risk. Justice must not only be demanded—it must be delivered,” he said.

The tragic death of Ginsau has reignited public debate on the enforcement of building codes and the adequacy of safety measures in public and private facilities across Nigeria.

Human Rights Group SOJA Calls for Accountability After Lawyer Dies in Abuja Hotel Elevator

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Troops conduct offensive patrol in Enugu, disrupt suspected IPOB/ESN activity

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Troops conduct offensive patrol in Enugu, disrupt suspected IPOB/ESN activity

By: Zagazola Makama

Joint troops have conducted an offensive patrol in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State aimed at disrupting suspected activities of members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.

Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 9:30 a.m. on March 31 by troops of Sector 1 in collaboration with 82 Division Garrison and 103 Battalion (Rear).

According to the sources, the patrol was conducted around Ajali Forest following intelligence reports of suspected militant movement in the area.

The sources said the suspected armed elements fled upon sighting the advancing troops, avoiding direct engagement.

They added that troops have continued to dominate the general area through sustained patrols to deny the suspected group freedom of action.

Troops conduct offensive patrol in Enugu, disrupt suspected IPOB/ESN activity

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